There is a growing trend in our culture today that allows us to obtain almost anything instantly. If we want to watch a film we put on Netflix, if we order something it can be delivered the same day, if we are hungry we can go to a fast food place and get food in minutes. This expectation of receiving things straight away is spreading to the world of work and of personal success, because for many it has become a natural part of our thinking, we habitually assume this applies to all things.
Part of the problem is the development of mobile technology, specifically the use of apps on mobile phones. We can now talk to anyone in the world, find a date, find a friend, buy things and manage our money instantly. Those who have grown up with this techology are succumbing to an instant gratification mindset.
If we use the analogy of a mountain to description the goals we set ourselves, professionally and personally, then the summit would be the goal and base camp would be where we are beginning from. In our current culture of instant gratification we often focus on the summit forgetting entirely that there is a mountain between where we are and where we want to get to. This has a sad side effect, which is that when we only focus on the goal we will inevitably feel like we are failing until we get there, and if we feel it should be a goal we reach soon then the instant gratification mindset compounds the problem.
What we need to do is twofold. Firstly changing our focus from the goal, and nothing else, to a focus on the process that will get us where we want to go. The goal then becomes where we set our compass to and the process becomes our preparation, whether we work as a team or go it alone, the map that we use and the targets we set along the way. To continue with the analogy of the mountain, we can set camps that we aim to get to after we leave the base camp. These are the stages of climbing the mountain. There can be as many target camps as you like and reaching each one will be a success.
Secondly we need to cultivate patience. Some goals take a long time to get to, and that is OK. You cannot climb a mountain in a day. Sometimes there is a lot of preparation that needs to be done before getting to the base camp. Sometimes set backs occur and alternative roots need to be taken. Patience is also a skill that needs practice, which ironically can take a while to master.
So, if we change from focusing entirely on the goal to the process we do to get to the goal, with targets to achieve along the way then our success will be measured by the progress we are making not reaching of the goal in the end. If we feel successful we are more likely to work harder, feel happier and be more creative. This mindset of working towards our goals one step at a time can be cultivated in ourselves, but what really needs to happen is that our work places create a culture where progress towards goals is favoured over the achieving of goals over everything else. If this is achieved colleagues will feel encouraged to work harder and feel safe enough to try and fail and try again. This is how innovation happens.
What are your views on prioritising progress towards a goal over prioritising achieving the goal over everything else?
The Fullfilment Project 